Alaska

Alaska

YUKON DELTA: Refuge Improves Firefighting Efficiency

Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge - 2005

Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge lowered its fire management responses on more than 12 million acres as areas that once called for full or modified fire suppression were changed to limited suppression based on a review of 30 years of fire history data.

"It didn't make any sense to commit resources to a small fire that had little chance of expanding or threatening other resources," said Deputy Manager Doug Staller who worked with Fire Management Officer Bob Lambrecht to make the changes.

During a busy fire season, these changes will improve efficiency by sending suppression resources to higher priority fires. Support for the change was unanimous among all partners including the Alaska Fire Service and the Southwest District of the Alaska Division of Forestry.